Gold bar produced without toxic cyanide

JulieW · Aug 30, 2018

Highly-toxic cyanide has been used in commercial gold production in Australia since the gold rush.

But the CSIRO have successfully poured Australia's first gold bar using the less-harmful alternative, thiosulphate.

A demonstration plant in Menzies, in Western Australia's Goldfields region, was the site of the first pour of 'green gold'.

CSIRO chief executive Larry Marshall said green gold was better for the environment and society.

"We really believe that over time companies will value more and more the importance of social responsibility," he said.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2018-08-30/csiro-pours-first-australian-green-gold/10180014
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Later

The CSIRO's Paul Bruer is lead scientist on the project, and said the initial demonstration plant was about proving the merits of the method to industry.

"The industry needs to see the technology proven, in the field, and then from there it can look at how it assess that against the current cyanide process," he said.

"Directly comparing the cyanide, we haven't got the numbers around that yet. That's part of the demonstration plant — [understanding] where we sit."

Value-added industry
CSIRO's Dr Marshall said it was a great opportunity to add value to a uniquely Australian piece of science, and a uniquely Australian industry.

Australia's gold production is forecast to plummet to generational lows by 2022.

Australia's gold production is expected to plummet to generational lows by 2022.

(Supplied: S&P Global Market Intelligence)
S&P Global Market Intelligence mining analyst Chris Galbraith said he expects production to drop from a 26-year high of 10.2 million ounces to just 6.8 million ounces by 2022.

Mr Galbraith said the potential 33 per cent drop was driven by the gradual depletion of Australia mines.

"Australia does have quite a few large and medium-sized mines that are expected to close over the next few years," he said.

"We do see a number of projects in development that can offset a bit of that fall, but nothing large enough that it's going to offset it that significantly."
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JOHNLGALT · Aug 30, 2018

Don't Care. JOOLIE.

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Gold bar produced without toxic cyanide

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Gold bar produced without toxic cyanide

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